Leptopelis argenteus

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Leptopelis argenteus
Leptopelis broadleyi00.jpg
Leptopelis broadleyi , which may or may not be conspecific with Leptopelis argenteus
Scientific classification Red Pencil Icon.png
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Amphibia
Order: Anura
Family: Arthroleptidae
Genus: Leptopelis
Species:
L. argenteus
Binomial name
Leptopelis argenteus
(Pfeffer, 1893)
Synonyms [2]

Hylambates argenteusPfeffer, 1893
Leptopelis argenteus meridionalisSchiøtz, 1975
Leptopelis broadleyi Poynton, 1985 — replacement name for L. a. meridionalis

Contents

Leptopelis argenteus, also known as the silvery tree frog or triad tree frog, is a species of frog in the family Arthroleptidae. [1] [2] [3] [4] It is found in coastal Kenya and Tanzania and south to northern Mozambique, southern Malawi, and eastern highlands of Zimbabwe. [2] [3]

Taxonomy

This species was described by Georg Johann Pfeffer in 1893 based on a specimen collected south of Bagamoyo, Tanzania. [2] Current accounts differ in its delimitation and distribution; the synonyms and distribution in this article follow the Amphibian Species of the World (ASW). [2] However, the IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group (2016) only reports it from Tanzania, possibly extending into Mozambique. [1] The AmphibiaWeb gives a distribution similar to that in ASW, but recognizes Leptopelis broadleyi as a valid species. [3] Furthermore, Leptopelis concolor is perhaps subspecies of Leptopelis argenteus. [2] [4]

Description

Depending on source, males measure 29–33 mm (1.1–1.3 in) in snout–vent length (SVL), [3] or males and females can be as large as 45 and 52 mm (1.8 and 2.0 in) SVL, respectively. [4] It resembles Leptopelis concolor morphologically but differs has two dark dorsolateral stripes and a more diffuse canthal and lateral line. Webbing in the feet is reduced. [3] There is usually a dark triangle between the eyes. [4]

Habitat and conservation

According to the IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group, this species inhabits savanna woodland with many trees and bushes. It can survive in altered habitats, provided that good vegetation cover remains. Males call high up in bushes and grasses, also quite far from water. The eggs are laid in a nest buried in mud near water. [1]

Leptopelis argenteus is a common and adaptable species that is not facing any significant threats. It is sometimes present in the international pet trade. It occurs in many protected areas. [1]

Related Research Articles

<i>Leptopelis</i> Genus of amphibians

Leptopelis is a genus of frogs in the family Arthroleptidae. They are found throughout Sub-Saharan Africa, excluding Madagascar. It is placed in monotypic subfamily Leptopelinae, although this subfamily is not always recognized. They have a number of common names, including forest treefrogs, tree frogs, leaf-frogs, and big-eyed frogs.

<i>Leptopelis vermiculatus</i> Species of amphibian

Leptopelis vermiculatus, also known as the peacock tree frog, Amani forest treefrog, or vermiculated tree frog, is a species of frog found in forest areas in Tanzania. Sometimes the common name big-eyed tree frog is used, but this may also refer to another species, Leptopelis macrotis.

<i>Hyperolius spinigularis</i> Species of frog

Hyperolius spinigularis is a species of frog in the family Hyperoliidae. It is found in the Mulanje Massif in southern Malawi and the Namuli Massif in adjacent Mozambique. Records from Tanzania refers to other species. Males of this species have characteristic small spines during the breeding season. Its common names are spiny-throated reed frog, spiny reed frog, and Mulanje reed frog.

Anchietas tree frog Species of frog

Anchieta's tree frog, also known as the Huila forest treefrog, is a species of frog in the family Arthroleptidae. It is endemic to Angola. It is closely related to the West Cameroon forest tree frog and the Garamba forest tree frog.

<i>Leptopelis aubryi</i> Species of amphibian

Leptopelis aubryi, also known as the Aubry's tree frog and Gaboon forest treefrog, is a species of frog in the family Arthroleptidae. It is found in southeastern Nigeria, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Republic of the Congo, western and northern Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Angola.

Bocage’s tree frog, Leptopelis bocagii, is a species of frog in the family Arthroleptidae. It is found in Angola, Burundi, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Namibia, Rwanda, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, and possibly Botswana, Central African Republic, Chad, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Sudan, and Uganda.

Cameroon forest tree frog Species of amphibian

The Cameroon forest tree frog, Leptopelis brevirostris, is a species of frog in the family Arthroleptidae. It is found in southern Nigeria, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, and Gabon. It is expected to occur in southwestern Central African Republic and in the Republic of the Congo, but no records have been confirmed from those countries.

Broadleys forest tree frog Species of amphibian

Leptopelis broadleyi is a species of frog in the family Arthroleptidae of uncertain status. The Amphibian Species of the World, the IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group, and the African Amphibians do not recognize it, but instead consider it synonym with Leptopelis argenteus. However, the AmphibiaWeb recognizes it as a valid species.

Savannah forest tree frog Species of amphibian

The savannah forest tree frog or ground tree frog, Leptopelis bufonides, is a species of frog in the family Arthroleptidae. It occurs in West and Middle Africa. The relationship of this species with Leptopelis bocagei is not fully settled.

Leptopelis christyi, also known as the Christy's tree frog or Christy's forest treefrog, is a species of frog in the family Arthroleptidae. It is known with confidence from eastern and northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo, southern and western Uganda, and northwestern Tanzania. It is likely to occur in Burundi and Rwanda, possibly ranging further in East Africa. There is an isolated population in Cameroon and Gabon that might represent a distinct species. The specific name christyi honours Dr. Cuthbert Christy, a British army doctor who collected the holotype.

Leptopelis concolor is a species of frog in the family Arthroleptidae. It is found in the coastal lowlands of southern Somalia, Kenya, and northeastern Tanzania. Common names triad tree frog, Witu forest treefrog, and pale-coloured tree frog have been coined for it.

Leptopelis fiziensis, also known as the Mokanga forest tree frog or Fizi tree frog, is a species of frog in the family Arthroleptidae. It is known from the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Tanzania, on both sides of Lake Tanganyika, and it is likely to occur in Burundi, in between the two know areas of distribution.

<i>Leptopelis flavomaculatus</i> Species of amphibian

Leptopelis flavomaculatus is a species of frog in the family Arthroleptidae. It is found in the lowlands eastern and southern Africa, from Mozambique north of the Save River and Zimbabwe to Malawi, eastern Tanzania, and coastal Kenya. Its common names are yellow-spotted tree frog, brown-backed tree frog, brown forest treefrog, and Johnston's treefrog.

<i>Leptopelis macrotis</i> Species of frog

Leptopelis macrotis, sometimes called the big-eyed forest tree frog, is a species of frog in the family Arthroleptidae. It is found in the rainforests of Sierra Leone, southern Guinea, Liberia, Ivory Coast, and southern Ghana. Notice that similar common name "big-eyed tree frog" is sometimes used for Leptopelis vermiculatus from Tanzania and for Litoria exophthalmia from New Guinea.

<i>Leptopelis millsoni</i> Species of amphibian

Leptopelis millsoni is a species of frog in the family Arthroleptidae. It is found in southeastern Nigeria, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, the Republic of the Congo, the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, and northwestern Angola. Common names Niger forest treefrog and Millson's Tree Frog have been coined for it. There is a need of taxonomic revision of this taxon.

Leptopelis modestus is a species of frog in the family Arthroleptidae. Its common names are modest forest treefrog and plain tree frog.

The Tai forest tree frog, Leptopelis occidentalis, is a species of frog in the family Arthroleptidae. It is found in Liberia, southern Ivory Coast, and Ghana. Records from Nigeria are controversial and may refer to other species, possibly Leptopelis boulengeri.

Leptopelis oryi, also known as the Garamba forest treefrog and Ory's tree frog, is a species of frog in the family Arthroleptidae. It is found in the northeastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, northwestern Uganda, and adjacent South Sudan. It is morphologically similar to Leptopelis nordequatorialis from Cameroon, and has also been considered its synonym, but is currently treated as a distinct species. The specific name oryi honours Albert Ory, warden in the Garamba National Park, the type locality of this species.

Leptopelis parbocagii, also known as Lake Upemba forest treefrog or cryptic tree frog, is a species of frog in the family Arthroleptidae. It is found in Angola, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania, and Zambia. The specific name parbocagii refers to its similarity to Leptopelis bocagii.

<i>Leptopelis parkeri</i> Species of amphibian

Leptopelis parkeri is a species of frog in the family Arthroleptidae. It is endemic to Tanzania and known from the Eastern Arc Mountains. Specifically, it has been recorded from Uluguru, Udzungwa, East and West Usambara, Nguru, and South Pare Mountains. Common names Parker's tree frog and Parker's forest treefrog have been coined for it. It is named after Hampton Wildman Parker, a British zoologist and herpetologist from the Natural History Museum, London.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group (2016). "Leptopelis argenteus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2016: e.T88340714A18385796. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-1.RLTS.T88340714A18385796.en . Retrieved 17 November 2021.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Frost, Darrel R. (2016). "Leptopelis argenteus (Pfeffer, 1893)". Amphibian Species of the World: an Online Reference. Version 6.0. American Museum of Natural History. Retrieved 14 January 2017.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 "Leptopelis argenteus: Silvery Tree Frog". AmphibiaWeb. University of California, Berkeley. 2008. Retrieved 14 January 2017.
  4. 1 2 3 4 "Leptopelis argenteus (Pfeffer, 1893)". African Amphibians. Retrieved 14 January 2017.